[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the Meeting among Four Ministers Regarding the Abduction Issue at the Prime Minister's Office.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said in his address,

“Japan has repeatedly and strongly urged North Korea to fully comply with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and refrain from any provocation including nuclear tests or the launch of ballistic missiles. Concerning the abduction issue as well, which is a matter of utmost importance for the Abe administration, we have also strongly demanded the quickest possible return of all abductees, but have not yet reached a resolution to this issue.

Against this backdrop, North Korea went ahead with its fourth nuclear test. The launch of a long-range ballistic missile is totally unacceptable, as it constitutes a direct grave threat to Japan’s security and seriously undermines the peace and security of Northeast Asia as well as the international community.

Based on this situation, and from the perspective of what the most effective measures for Japan are in order to comprehensively resolve the outstanding issues, including the abduction issue, nuclear tests, and missiles, Japan has made the decision to implement its own measures on these matters. We are now making preparations so that we can swiftly determine the exact content of those measures.

Regardless of what happens, the Government will continue dialogue toward the resolution of the abduction issue, a matter of utmost importance for us. I want to continue to exert every effort to realize the quickest possible return of all abductees based on the agreement between Japan and North Korea in Stockholm.”